Chicago Cubs: Talking ‘Cubs Way’ with prospect Trent Giambrone

A former 25th round pick of the Chicago Cubs, Trent Giambrone might not be a name you’re familiar with. But this is a guy who’s hungry to prove himself.

Guys who aren’t taken in the first round don’t roll around in flashy sports cars or sign multi-million dollar signing bonuses to tide them over throughout the Minor League grind. Usually, they know more about that grind than they’d like to admit, having worked their way through high school and, perhaps college to get to this moment – playing in the farm system for a big league organization such as the Chicago Cubs.

But 24-year-old infielder Trent Giambrone embraces the grind that got him to where he is today. Initially, he passed on beginning his professional career. The Los Angeles Dodgers took him in the 30th round of the 2012 MLB Draft – but Giambrone put his dreams on hold.

"“I had a lot of growing up to do,” he told me when we spoke earlier this month. “When that opportunity (to go to college) came around, it was a no-brainer for me – I was going to take the opportunity to go to college and be the first person in my family to get an education.”"

The Metairie, Louisiana native first headed to Jones County Junior College college about two hours from home. Not only did he have plenty of learning to do in the classroom, but he started learning how to play infield for the first time – something he called a “big transition”.